The name may not be new but the Suzuki Baleno itself certainly is. The Japanese brand is making a habit of developing small, practical and value-packed hatchbacks, so the all-new Baleno arrives with a weight of expectation.
Strangely, it enters a market Suzuki already occupies – with the Swift. A five-door B-segment supermini, Suzuki says the Baleno doesn’t directly compete against the Swift, but instead offers buyers a more spacious in-house alternative.
It sits on an all-new platform, which will form a basis for the next-generation Swift (due in 2017). It’s also the first model from the manufacturer to be offered with the firm’s new turbocharged 1.0-litre three-cylinder engine.
Proportionally it measures in at 100mm longer and 50mm wider than a Swift, while the 355-litre boot is bigger than what you get in the considerably larger and pricier Ford Focus. It’s one of the largest B-segment superminis around, and it certainly shows inside. There’s space for two adults in the rear with room to spare, or three if you’re prepared to squeeze in for shorter journeys.
But, unlike so many cars in this market, it doesn’t really make a lasting or stirring first impression. In fact, we fear the rather nondescript styling will look ten years old after only two. As for cost, Suzuki is yet to officially confirm any numbers but an expected starting price of £12,000 is good, while £14,000 for top-spec models makes it better value than the smaller and lesser-equipped Ford Fiesta.
The new three-cylinder turbo develops 110bhp and 170Nm of torque, pretty much matching its closest competitors. But while it’s cleaner than a Vauxhall Corsa, the Baleno’s 62.7mpg and 103g/km of CO2 fails to pip the sub-100g/km Fiesta.
Happily, away from the spec sheet and on the road, the Baleno delivers decent performance. The peppy engine spins freely and because the Baleno weighs just 905kg – 100kg less than the Swift – it feels punchy through the gears. Towards the top end of the rev range the engine noise reverberates into the cabin, but when pootling around town it’s unarguably well isolated.
Head out onto the motorway and what engine noise there was is soon drowned out by the wind noise deflected from the A-pillars and wing mirrors. It certainly lacks the polished and well-engineered nature of the Corsa at higher speeds.
Around town and on tighter back roads, the Baleno begins to shine a little brighter. The steering is a bit vague, but it’s hooked up to a responsive front-end making it feel nimble and agile, just like the Swift. There’s some body roll through faster corners but there’s always plenty of grip.
Initially the ride feels supple and well judged but hit a compression and while the damping does its best to keep everything in check, the suspension feels short of travel making the Baleno bounce along the road.
The Baleno falls down further when it comes to interior quality. Every surface is trimmed in cheap, flimsy looking plastics which are neither pleasant to look at, nor to touch. The seven-inch digital display comes as standard on both trims, but it’s a little clunky to operate and slow to respond. Having said that you do get plenty of kit as standard with air-con, alloy wheels and navigation all thrown in.
- Price: £14,000 (est)
- Engine: 1.0-litre 3cyl turbo
- Transmission: Five-speed manual, front-wheel drive
- Power: 110bhp
- 0-62mph: 10.5 seconds (est)
- Top speed: 124mph
- Economy/CO2: 62.7mpg/103g/km
- On sale: May 2016